Turkish press review

ANKARA (A.A) - November 2, 2011 - Turkish dailies mostly covered in their Wednesday's edition Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks about suicide bomber, stories about the suicide bomber, possibility of paid military service, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel's exclusive interview. Sabah and Yeni Safak daily newspapers referred to Erdogan's question whether those who offered condolences for terrorists would go to suicide bomber's house to express condolences. Sabah and Yeni Safak daily newspapers quoted Erdogan as saying that a suicide bomber killed a mother in front of her children in the eastern province of Bingol and asked, "I wonder whether the people who offered condolences for terrorists can condemn this violence and the terrorist organization." Turkish newspapers also wrote stories about the suicide bomber who caused bloodshed in the eastern province of Bingol. Vatan said that the suicide bomber was a woman named Nazli Gorer, with an alias "Rohani". The paper also wrote that PKK claimed that the target was a police station in the attack that wounded 21 people. Milliyet newspaper wrote that 31-year-old Gorer's target was the stadium where Republic Day would be celebrated, however she changed the target and blew herself up near Justice & Development (AK) Party office in Bingol after celebrations were cancelled. Another topic Turkish daily newspapers covered on Wednesday was the possibility of paid military service. Sabah said Erdogan signalled for paid military service, whereas Milliyet, Hurriyet and Vatan also published stories about the issue. Vatan newspaper wrote that the income to be provided from paid military service, which would be valid for 30-year-old men and above, would be granted to ghazis and relatives of martyrs.  In an exclusive interview with Hurriyet daily newspaper to mark the 50th anniversary of Turkish-German labor recruitment agreement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that first of the Turkish people who migrated in Germany contributed to Germany's economic achievements and therefore Germany was grateful to those people. Merkel also said Turkish people who were living in Germany were a part of Germany and cultural diversity. Zaman daily newspaper also interviewed with Merkel and quoted her as saying that educational initiatives of Turks were of significant importance for her.